FOUR DAY WORK WEEK: STUDY GROUP

The Four Day Work Week Report
Review the findings of the Study Group in this in-depth report.

Historical Overview
As announced in the President’s recent convocation address, The University of Montana must plan to implement a variety of tactics to address not only the withdrawal of the federal stimulus funds but also the possible reduction in state funding due to a predicted shortfall in state revenues. One option is to consider a four-day work week. Toward that end, we will appoint a special campus task force to study the proposal and its effects. This effort will be led by Christopher Comer, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Rosi Keller, Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance. The balance of the study group will be named in the next few days and will include faculty, staff and students from across the campus.

The Task Force will be charged with gathering feedback on the four-day work week and identifying the major benefits – financial, environmental, and otherwise, as well as the potential costs in terms of productivity and quality. The Task Force will analyze the evidence after consulting widely and will provide their recommendations by the middle of April.

As we study this option, the following priorities articulated in the President’s convocation address will remain at the forefront of our analysis:

• Maintain a balanced budget.
• Serve the students who have come to the University, assuring they can get the classes they need and remain on track to graduate.
• Protect the academic programs which have attracted the students.
• Provide as much security as possible to the work force, preventing layoffs and reductions in force.
• Maintain momentum in research and graduate education.
• Fulfill the mission of the University.

PRESENTATION

Study Group Co-Chairs, Dean, Christopher Comer and Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance, Rosi Keller invite you to a presentation on the results from the “4-Day Week” Study Group. All interested parties are encouraged to attend:

Tuesday, May 4 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. UC Theater

OPEN FORUMS

Study Group Co-Chairs, College of Arts and Sciences Dean, Christopher Comer and Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance, Rosi Keller will conduct open forums to discuss and take comments on the feasibility of a four-day week.

Forum Schedule
Future Forums will be announced. To date (04.27.10) 3 sessions have been conducted.

The campus community is invited to attend and offer comments. The study group will analyze comments received, consult widely and provide recommendations to President Dennison in early May. Participation is Encouraged and Welcomed!